Is social media weakening students’ sense of belonging at school?
21 November 2019

The latest data emerging from the Programme for International Student Assessment, shows that a sense of belonging at school has weakened among 15-year-olds.
A Waikato secondary school shares some lessons learned from an unfortunate accident that occurred in 2018.
Two years ago, Forest View High School in Tokoroa experienced an accident resulting in injury to a staff member and student as they fell nearly five metres from a scaffold in their school auditorium. Both suffered head and bone injuries.
The accident happened in the early morning when lighting was being set up for a production. The cause of the accident was the scaffold being pulled along using the rigging bar with people on the platform; it toppled over as it became unstable.
Staff acted quickly and followed advice of the emergency service providers. The injured were taken to Tokoroa Hospital and then to Waikato Hospital when the severity of their injuries was realised. Unfortunately, further distress was caused to the family of the student when they were advised by emergency services to go directly to the hospital rather than come to the school. This caused a delay of more than an hour before the parents were able to see their son. The school apologised for the hurt this caused.
Worksafe New Zealand was notified and a full investigation was held with the auditorium being closed until a clearance was received allowing it to re-open. Following the process with Worksafe, the Forest View High School Board of Trustees were charged and had to attend court, and engage in a legal process and restorative justice meetings.
As a new principal to the school in 2019, Jocelyn Hale was unaware this accident had happened the year before, as she had not seen it reported in the media and it was thought a charge would not eventuate.
“Once on staff as a first-time principal I had to quickly upskill myself in not only the situation but also all the Health and Safety legislation relating to this case. The lawyers appointed to the school were very helpful in this process and I am thankful to them for their guidance,” says Jocelyn.
The teacher who was injured retired last year and is enjoying his retirement. The student was able to get involved in activities again last year and walked the Tongariro Crossing and competed in the 100 metres race at school athletics. He is now studying at tertiary level.
As part of the resulting court case in 2019, Forest View High School was asked to publish this case study of their experience to share with other schools.
More information about the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and its regulator Worksafe, is available here(external link). Under this legislation a PCBU, a ‘person conducting a business or undertaking’ must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers. A PCBU may be an individual person or an organisation and includes school boards of trustees. The primary duty of care at a school is the responsibility of the board of trustees. More information for schools can be found on the Worksafe website(external link). Further information on health and safety requirements and guidance for schools can also be on the Ministry of Education website(external link).
BY Education Gazette editors
Education Gazette | Tukutuku Kōrero, reporter@edgazette.govt.nz
Posted: 8:36 am, 22 December 2020
21 November 2019
The latest data emerging from the Programme for International Student Assessment, shows that a sense of belonging at school has weakened among 15-year-olds.
31 July 2020
School camps are a traditional part of the fabric of school life in Aotearoa, but research and a new resource suggest it might be time for a fresh approach.
25 February 2021
A new initiative is helping to provide ākonga with access to period products and reduce stigma around periods.